Meghan Markle’s 'friend' claims story about Thomas Markle's heart surgery was 'all made up' so he could miss royal wedding

IT'S been claimed that the 'story' about father's heart surgery was "all made up”.

Meghan Markle ’s father Thomas Markle pulled out of appearing at her royal wedding to Prince Harry after it was revealed that he had staged a photo shoot.

Days later it was revealed that he was undergoing heart surgery after suffering a heart attack, confirming that he would not be travelling to the UK.

A source who is reported to be close to Meghan has now claimed that his surgery was a "story" that was "made up" to avoid the royal wedding.

Thomas Markle missed the royal wedding[Getty]

Speaking to The Mail Online, they said: "The whole story about Meghan's father undergoing heart surgery was made up.

"He had to come up with a good enough reason not to attend her wedding and avoid any further embarrassment after those staged photos went public.

“The poor health story was his way of generating some compassion from the public, and taking the attention off those staged photos which were a complete embarrassment to Meghan and the royal family.

Thomas Markle has spoken out in a Good Morning Britain interview[ITV]

"Of course Meghan is upset with him. Her father missed her wedding. He missed walking her down the isle all because of that ill-conceived publicity stunt.

"It was really just such poor judgement on his part. Now everyone's feeling sorry for him. They shouldn't. He brought this upon himself and if he were truly sick Meghan would have made an effort to visit him.

"Don't feel sorry for him. If anything, feel sorry for Meghan."

Thomas and Meghan when she was a baby[ITV]

Meghan is now married to Prince Harry [Getty]

While appearing on Good Morning Britain recently, Thomas said he checked into the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, north of the Mexican border.

“The reason I am being shunned is because I made a profit on the staged pictures,” he said. “Anyone who makes a profit off the Royal Family becomes shunned. But I could have made well over $100,000 by just doing a talk show."

He asked: “So if I moved to London and started selling cups with my daughter’s face on, would they shun me?

"The Royal Family is living by rules that are outdated,” before arguing: “Half of Great Britain seems to make a fortune selling pictures of my daughter and her husband. Are they shunned?”